Corbie - Somme

The valley of the river Somme is dotted with ponds. This area was owned by Queen Balthild (since 860 "Saint Balthild"), wife of Clovis II and mother of Chlothar III and Childeric II. Around 660, she founded a convent here, that became the nucleus of the town Corbie. The Abbey of Corbie grew really important in Carolingian times. Saint Adalard, one of Charlemagne's cousins, was abbot here.